Social Media Campaign for Judy's Mission

Earlier this month, a handful of Houston's top bloggers and social media influencers gathered on behalf of  Houston ovarian cancer charity, Judy's Mission, in order to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Given that Judy's Mission is a Mad Meg client and I'm a survivor of OC myself, i was so appreciative to each and every girl that came. 

TOP(left to right)  Julie Weinstein, Executive Director of Judy's Mission, Aimee Friend, Ailee Petrovic

MIDDLE (left to right) Brandi Lisenbe, Candace Thomas, Me

BOTTOM (left to right) Mad Meg Account Associate, Alyssa Evans, Esther Freedman, Macy Silianoff and Isla Petrovic

Here's why ovarian cancer is such a bitch and so deadly; there's no screening for it. 

Breast cancer has mammograms. Ovarian cancer has nothing. So by the time we find it in someone, it's usually far along and therefore the overall survival rate isn't great. 

The other problem is there is no universal symptom. With breast cancer, a woman feels a lump, she goes to the doc, scared shitless sure, but she knows to go and why. With ovarian cancer, when a woman experiences back pain, bloating, or any urinary symptoms - doctors (or us as patients) often chalk it up to our cycle. That's what happened with me and why it took almost two years to diagnosis.

Macy hates ovarian cancer too. 

This pic of Mace and Ailee's daughter, Isla, is precious but also so symbolic of what we're trying to do here; take care of OC so our kids don't have to worry about it - surely they're gonna have their own problems with all the "screen time" and what not. #amiright?

Also, ovarian (and breast cancer) can be genetic (I wrote about my experience with that  here) so we, as a society, need to be informed about the BRCA gene, especially if we're knowingly passing it on to our kids.

Judy's Mission y'all, their work is important. And for the rest of this month you can support them by purchasing any of these products if you wish!

*Photos by the sexy mamma Rocio Carlon! Book her for your own portrait needs!

- FOLLOWING MEGAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA WILL MAKE YOU SKINNIER, RICHER, + PRETTIER-

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Tonight's the Night!

Tonight's the night kids. As written about in Houstonia magazine, Tootsies, Houston's fanciest and classiest store, is throwing a soiree in honor of ovarian cancer. In no particular order, here are the 

                                           TOP 10 REASONS YOU SHOULD COME 

1. I'm gonna look saucy! Tootsies graciously lent me an outfit to wear for the affair. I felt like Pretty Woman yesterday when Fady, Tootsies Manager, was pulling options on my behalf. Just me, your everyday prostitute, getting outfitted in some serious designer duds. It was THE BEST!  

2. I'll introduce you to, Buck, who's not only supes cute, but the director of the Susan Poorman Blackie Foundation. The foundation is named for his mom, Susan, who passed from ovarian cancer last year. I never got to meet her but from what Buck has shared with me, I feel like I know her a little bit, and I want to make her proud with ovarian cancer advocacy, as though she was my mom too.

3. Anna, owner of Manoosh, will be there with her Susan Scarves. (The scarf I'm wearing in the pics below.) They're gorg and the proceeds go to ovarian cancer research. Anna is just 27, from Portland, a fellow #girlboss trying to make it in the world, and someone you should meet. I'll introduce you.

4. MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN HOUSTON is providing the vino and food. 

5. See previous reason. Vino!!!!

6. I'll be selling and signing my books! 

8. Rongrong will be there sketching away! Usually when she commissions a drawing it's around $300. Tonight they'll be free 99.

9. There will be a "build your own jewelry station" sponsored by Agate Ranch + Marfa Jewelry company.  What?!! Too good to be true!!!

10. It's for a good cause! The thing about ovarian cancer, and why its such a bitch, is that there is no screening for it. Breast cancer has mammograms. Ovarian cancer has nothing and that's why its so deadly. By the time we detect it, it's often too late. We need to come up with some sort of screening. So shoppity shoppity, cool?

Here's the official invite - it's from 5:30 - 7:30pm.

And, here are a few of the outtakes from the shoot we did last month for the Susan Scarf.

The photos are by Kendall Hannah . (Hi Kendall!)

See you soon! 

(And if you can't come tonight, or aren't local, but still want to support, you can buy the Susan scarf here!)

- FOLLOWING MEGAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA WILL MAKE YOU SKINNIER, RICHER, + PRETTIER-

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Happy Anniversary To Me - (And I'm Hosting a Party at Tootsies!)

A year ago today, I wrote this post. 

It said that my cancer had returned & that Dr. Nick and I had a hot date in the OR.

Spoiler alert - all went well and here I am, a year to the day, inviting you to a fancy party I'm hosting in honor of this very disease. (see below.)

Maybe its just me, but the timing of how this all played out and that I'm inviting y'all an exact 365 days later, seems incredible to me. Eery even. 

It reminds me that I'm an insanely fortunate and lucky person.

-I have a scrumptious, hilarious daughter that I fall in love with more each day.

-Her dad, equally hilarious, is committed, brave, loving, and on pace to be the best dad I know

-next to my own father, who gives me the unconditional love and support that has been the necessary foundation for anything good I've accomplished in my life

-I have a career that I continue to trick people into thinking I'm capable of and am not far off from tricking myself. A career that enables me to be creative and call people like Lydia, Jessica, and Becky not only colleagues but friends.

-I have a sister who gave me a nephew and cousins that I love more than they'll ever know

-I have Chuck and Jer, best guy friends, who are fiercely committed to keeping my 7.5-self humble, reminding me that I have a stain on my dress when I think I look hot, forcing me to  face my faults, yet still are capable of building me up, only when I truly need it, in a way only guy friends can do.

-I have, Candace and Julie, who came into my life when I needed them most.

Last but not least, I have my health, which despite everything I've learned and been through, I foolishly take for granted. For without my health, all of the aforementioned things, are moot.

But not today. Today I refuse to let life's minutia distract from my body that held up during 5 surgeries, continually digests nothing but coffee & sugar, yet still enables me to get the "student discount" at my nail place because the lady thinks I'm in high school. 

Today I'm going to drink a green juice, go for a run, meditate, and thank the universe and the version of god that I believe in for my abundance of fortune. 

I don't deserve all that I have but I promise to do my best with it and find ways to pay it forward so others can feel as happy and healthy as I do. 

But enough about me.

LET'S PARTY!

Few quick things about the party;

-I'll be selling/signing my books there!

-My favorite restaurant in all of Houston is catering it!!!

-It's free!!

-There's booze!

-Tootsies is SO MAJOR!

-Buck, whose mom is Susan, of the Susan Poorman Blackie OC Foundation, will be there. He's sweet, easy on the eyes, and surely making him mom so, so proud. Let me introduce you.

-Anna from Manoosh is an IRL angel. Let me introduce you.

-Buy the "Susan Scarf" I'm wearing here

-Rongrong will be there sketching away! Make her draw you!

Also, Paper City is talking about the soiree! Gah! 

Check out the full article here!!

See you guys THERE! 

XOXO,

Megan

P.S. Thank you for reading my blog. Just another thing for me to so grateful for.

P.P.S. Just to keep the "emo-ness" going, I'm gonna post some pics from this day, last year, on my instagram and Facebook page. Check 'em out should you wish.

P.P.P.S. I updated MeganSilianoff.com - check 'er out! 

THE END

BORN THRU FIRE PODCAST

I was honored to record this episode for the Born Thru Fire podcast a few months ago in which I talk about my cancer and adoption story but also more recent happenings in my life!

*Download the episode here on iTunes or you can listen to it on your computer here on Stitcher.

Thanks to Kaly McKenna for having me!!

- FOLLOWING MEGAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA WILL MAKE YOU SKINNIER, RICHER, + PRETTIER-

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Manor - 20% off for GFT readers!

Flamingo Inflatable $70   //  Mohawk Lollipop Holder $98  //  Hash Reversible Throw Pillow $89  //

Henry The Elephant Pillow $30  //  Purple Agate Geode $29.99  //  99 Problems but  a Baby Ain't One  // Bourbon Candle  //  Mickey Mouse Print  // Donut Print


Shop The Manor is a classy online boutique that became a little less so yesterday as they started carrying my book! While I'm honored, especially given its their debut book to be on the site, there's a little sumpin sumpin in it for you too. Owner Beth Delozier-Hayes, who I've met and become pals with over this past year is offering 20% site wide for my readers! Just enter discount code "GreetingsfromTX20". 

Beth is also giving away a copy of my book on the Manor instagram feed! It's super easy to enter so feel free to be enticed by that as well.

Happy Hump Day friends! I stayed up way too late last night with Julie and Candace so today is gonna be rough. Too bad Manor doesn't sell aderol - I'd buy that in bulk right now, full price even. Think about it for fall Beth, cool? 

XOXO, Megan

- FOLLOWING MEGAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA WILL MAKE YOU SKINNIER, RICHER, + PRETTIER-

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Deep thoughts on Angelina Jolie's "Diary of Surgery" Article + a free excerpt from my book!

Last week The New Yorker published an article by Angelina Jolie titled "Diary of Surgery." Because I've experienced many of the things she addresses in the piece it really resonated with me. 

While "Mrs. Smith" talks a lot about what carrying the BRCA gene means, she doesn't address the test itself. Like, specifically, what it involves. When I got tested for the BRCA mutation, all my doctor was told me was "Megan, I'm scheduling you a meeting with a genetic counselor to see if you're a BRCA 1 or 2 carrier" and I was like "Absolutely! Let's do that!" but on the inside I was like "um, what's that now?"

CreditMichela Buttignol as seen in the New Yorker

In spirit of joining Angelina to raise awareness about this issue, and equally noble, awareness about my book, below is an excerpt from 99 Problems in which I get tested for the gene. It's from the chapter I creatively titled, Genetic Counseling.

"Genetic Counseling"

A chapter and excerpt from 99 Problems but a Baby Ain't One

Today I spent the afternoon at a genetic counselor's office. Her name was Cara and she was a nice, tall, thin woman vaguely resembling Hilary Swank. Her office was small, but her candy bowl was big - overflowing with fun-size Twix bars. I took this as an open invitation to help myself.

Prior to our session, I wasn't real clear on what a genetic counselor did or why I was going. I just knew my doctor had scheduled this appointment and I had to attend. I guess though, with the world counselor in her title, I'd envisioned myself doing the majority of the talking - a very Robin Williams/Matt Damon/Good Will Hunting type of situation. I want everyone to know that is not what genetic counseling is. Genetic counseling is when Cara describes to you, in full detail, every gene, cancer, mutation, and horrific disease that I could possibly possess or develop in my life. And there's a lot. Like millions.

It was very overwhelming and very scary. My first instinct was to jump from the fourteenth floor that we were on to alleviate the suspense surrounding my eventual cause of death. Instead, I let Cara perform a blood test for the millions of genetic disorders we discussed in our session. In two to three weeks I'll know if I have the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutations that my doctors are most concerned about. Testing positive for this would mean that I will very likely develop both ovarian and breast cancer in my lifetime. (If it haven't already.)

The BRCA gene is hereditary and would have been passed down from either my mother or father. (Rude.) If I have this, I'll want to make sure that my younger female cousins, from whichever side the gene was contracted, get tested as well. Since the gene is hereditary, if I have it, they could have it too. If I had a sister, she would need to get tested too.

I also asked Cara to test for the "crazy" gene. I'm pretty sure I have that.......

*To enjoy 99 Problems in its entirety like, Jen and Merl here, hop on over to Amazon to buy a kindle or paperback version. 

*For discussion questions, book club info, reviews, and more about the book click over to the official website. 

THE END

-COOL PEOPLE ONLY-

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DALLAS BOOK SIGNING

Should you recall, last month I did a book signing at Langford Market in Dallas. (Plano actually.)

Hi I'm Megan. Buy my book.

99 Problems but a Baby Ain't One (available in e-version as well)

Family, friends, and strangers (but now new friends) attended and I was touched by every single person who came.

Did I mention Macy was there? If not it's because I've tried to block it out. This little girl is wildly happy, active, and verbal - all characteristics that will serve her well in life.  Not so much, however, when her mother is trying to conduct a semi-professional commerce situation in a place of business. 

The two hours I was signing books to pay for her imminent college education, Macy independently explored a busy parking lot, pulled all the fringe off my skirt, and "peeping tommed" everyone who used the fitting room. Such a precious little darling!

*If you missed the signing and would still like an inscribed copy of 99 Problems, perhaps as a meaningful Christmas gift to someone in your life, email me, and I can get it out right away.

XOXO,

Gossip Girl

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA! IT'LL BE FUN! PROMISE!        

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HIGH SCHOOL SPEAKING GIG

Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking for Franklin High School's Independent Reading class. We discussed the publishing process and specificities about my story and subsequent book. The class had read excerpts from 99 Problems and watched my interviews and compiled a list of questions accordingly.  We ended up having a conversational discussion however and just went off the cuff in terms of the Q&A. That's why I got to address inquires like "Did you like Kayne's newest album, Yeezus?" It was awesome.

Another question I received was "how does it feel to be back at your former high school?" I said that it was awesome and that I loved high school and have only fond memories.  And that's true. But if i'm being totally candid, the visit did nothing to help this midlife crisis I've got going on. I turned 33 this week and basically I'm freaking the fuck out. My sister Julianna went through this when she turned 30 and seems to have come out on the other side. I'm hopeful it's a phase I'll conquer here soon. If not, you guys have a lot of long, dark, emo blog posts to look forward to. #getexcited 

Let's talk more about the students. They were so sweet and and some were already so accomplished. You don't realize, or at least I didn't until yesterday, that today's online culture  offers kids the ability to pursue a writing career and publish their work immediately. No need to wait for a diploma, bachelors degree, or more than anything permission from someone to be a writer. I don't think that was the case for say, someone who graduated Franklin High in the year 2000! #Y2KBitches 

Several of the students gave me the urls to their tumblrs, websites, and one even emailed me their work to peek it. I was impressed. I definitely wasn't that ambitious when I was in high school except when I publicly protested the administration's parking fees in a journalistic manner. #embarrassing 

This was my 2nd year speaking for this Independent Reading Class, though last year I did it via Skype. My 2015 goals, and just life ambitions in general, are simply to keep producing work that warrants this yearly gig because no speaking invitation makes me feel more honored and connected.

P.S. I'm hosting a twitter party tonight for The Potty Rockers (Think of them as the "Elf on the Shelf" for the potty training world) from 9:00pm - 9:15pm. It's gonna be short and sweet so come hashtag it up with us! Follow me on twitter (@greetingsfromtx) and The Potty Rocker and let's parrtttyyyyyy!

P.P.S. If you haven't listened to my interview on the One Part Podcast yet you can do it here. And check out Jessica's guest today, De'Mar Hamilton of The Plain White T's.

COOL PEOPLE ONLY PLEASE!     

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